I’m not posting much at the moment. Here’s the reason: the appalling images coming from Gaza have moved me to tears over and over again this week, as I’m sure they have many of you. It’s made everything else seem ridiculous, superficial and irrelevant.

The hackneyed phrase ‘deepening crisis’ is so overused when describing the Arab/Israeli conflict and although I know enough about history to know why we find ourselves here, I would not claim to know every new political development in the region.

What I do know from friends is that Palestinians are treated as second class citizens. That a form of apartheid is in place in the region. I knew all this before, I have had both Palestinian and Israeli friends over the years – but somehow after the initial horror you move on, and even forget.

What’s really terrified me however over the last few weeks has been the shocking brutality and randomness of the current attacks on Gaza. How on earth is it possible to justify this?

One comment posted on Facebook this week made the point that when IRA was bombing the mainland during the Troubles we didn’t retaliate by bombing residential streets in Northern Ireland. It’s a rather apt comparison. A similar proportionality seems to have gone somewhat astray in Israel (if it was ever there).

So, why can’t we airlift these children to safety? Why is the world just watching in horror and failing to act….how much longer before Israel is boycotted in the way South Africa was all those years ago.

Part of this I know the answer to: all neighbouring countries have closed their borders…for the people of Gaza there is simply no escape.

There is a lot at stake and no one is going to intervene.

Although boycotting as individuals seems like a terribly good idea, the reality is that we would literally need to boycott pretty much every UK high street store (M&S, Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Starbucks…the list is long…).

So, is this about annihilating a whole people? Even the thought makes me shudder in fear.

I should declare a vested interest at this point: yes I am a Muslim and that in itself makes it harder to see my Muslim brothers and sisters suffering.

But I know that right-minded people whatever their faith are similarly horrified at the suffering in Gaza.

This is not about faith or politics anymore, to me at least, this is about suffering of the sort that no one should have to endure. You won’t see me posting at #freepalestine hashtags or Palestinian flags – I know the issue is too complex for that – but you may see me posting #freeGazaschildren – let them be free of suffering and horror and pain.

Here is an image from the Independent earlier this week that has so much poignancy to me:

I’ll admit it: it really doesn’t take a lot to get me excited nowadays: a new iced coffee in Starbucks, enough Advatage Card points to buy myself a meal…you get the general idea.

Nonetheless, my delirium levels did reach new heights when I discovered a whole Essie stand in my local Boots! Not the whole collection, but enough to keep me entertained. Yes, I know I can buy them online, but when it comes to cosmetics I’m a firm believer in trying before buying.

Sooo, after that ridiculously long-winded intro, here is the beauty I speak of (drum roll please):

This an Instagram shot, but without the filter you really wouldn’t get a real sense of the intensity if this pinky coral.

Here is a pic without the filter, to get a true sense of the real colour multiply this pic by 10!

It’s just the most perfect corally orange. Having worn brighter oranges to death last summer, to me this is just the perfect summer orange: bright without being overpowering or tacky.

In case you haven’t guessed by now, yes I am obsessed with Essie nail polishes. The originality of their colours is hard to beat, and every shade manages to be classy, no matter how bright. The brush on this varnish is flat, making application a doddle. I applied 3 coats in the end (unusual for me) because I found 2 left some streaks in places.

So I got to go to the ladies finals this year, thanks to Mr Mbbmore, who always diligently applies for tickets in the ballot and always manages to get some great tickets. Yesterday we got to sit three rows back from the front and watch some great tennis, despite the rain – thank goodness for […]

June is always a good month for me: it’s my birthday, and as a Wimbledon resident, the tennis fortnight at All England always makes the whole place that much buzzier with everyone’s bumping into tennis stars in pubs, shops and playgrounds. More of that in another post though; for now I’ll just tell you about my […]

Blogroll

About me

I am a freelance journalist/editor, and a mother of two boys.
I have always been slightly obsessive about health and beauty related stuff, and since having kids I am really into earth-friendly and child-friendly beauty brands, as well as holistic treatments.
I do occasionally digress into other stuff that has moved me whether it be a nice restaurant or hotel I have visited, my (lack of) parenting skills or other stuff that’s been playing on my mind.
I hope you enjoy my blog. Please do leave feedback, so I know there is someone out there reading this!